General Information Santorini is perhaps the
most fascinating and most talked about island of Greece in the
Aegean. Only the name of the island is enough to unfold in mind
pleasurable connotations, volcanic landscape, gray and red
beaches, dazzling white houses, terraces with panoramic sea
views , stunning sunsets, wild fun. All this, together with
remnants of lost civilizations discovered in the volcanic ash
justify the epithets with which visitors identify Santorini and
fairly is called, magical, indescribable, astonishing.
The
volcano is still active, and the last eruption was in 1950,
causing an earthquake that destroyed many villages on the
island. The island's official name is Thira and its main town,
Fira, is also the capital of the Cyclades islands. It is a
cosmopolitan island and is therefore quite expensive.
The locals live mainly off agriculture and tourism. The islands
largest export product is soil; 2.000.000 tons a year are used
all over the world, mainly to make concrete. The Suez channel
was built with this concrete for example.
Most holidaymakers stay where the beaches are, Kamari and
Perissa, but these places really do not represent the island's
amazing distinctiveness.
If you can, you should try to stay in Fira, Imerovigli or Oia,
the towns on the cliffs, which are very beautiful and full of
little cafes, shops and places of interest. There is a bus that
goes to the beaches everyday, and it is much better to be in the
towns in the evening and on the beaches during the day. If you
stay in Monolithos you will have more peace and quiet.
Approaching the island by boat the immediate impression
obtained is this is a Greek island unlike any other. The island
of Santorini was formed out of the lava from the volcanic
eruption in 1660 BC. The central part of the volcano sank into
the sea leading to the emergence of Santorini itself and the
tiny neighbouring islands of Thirasia, Palaia and Nea Kameni
close by.
Today, Santorini is the only inhabited Caldera (volcano
cauldron) in the world. Unlike other islands in Greece, the
towns and villages sit densely on top of the massive cliffs of
the Caldera and from a distance appear like snow capping the
towering mountain tops. The coloured strata of the volcanic rock
of these cliffs are spectacular in themselves: chocolate brown,
rust red, yellow ochre, white and cream. The geological
uniqueness however is not the only thing that makes Santorini a
special holiday destination.
Everyone
has read about the spectacular sunsets that occur on this island
and the sceptic may question whether the setting sun can really
appear differently here than from the neighbouring islands of
Naxos or Ios. Nevertheless, the sunsets at Santorini, viewed
from the Caldera, really are breathtakingly beautiful when seen
as a backdrop to the volcano. The colours that streak the sky
change from lilac to deep purple, from yellow to orange to red,
as the golden sun sinks and becomes blood red reflecting its
light on to the sea and the surrounding little islands, an
amazing scene for photography. The eastern slopes of the island
are green and fertile, even in October. This is due to the
copious vineyards that grow so well in the fertile volcanic
soil. The terraced slopes of the mountains use every available
part of this fertile land. The island suffer from water
scarcity, because it has few natural water reserves, but the
nature of the dry soil of Santorini produces grapes that make up
one of the best wines of Greece. The climate, though damp is
healthy and perfect for producing the famous wine (vinsando),
fava beans and tomatoes. There are many wineries and a a local
factory for canning tomato paste, tomatoes and vegetables.
Santorini used to export a lot of pumice that finally stopped
due to the destruction the old pumice mines did to the island.
The old mines now are used for the burial of waste.
Today the island's economy relies on tourism, where tens of
thousands tourists from Greece and around the world visit the
island for unforgettable holidays
History Santorini used to be a
round island, but during an earthquake and volcano-outbreak in the 15th
century BC the middle of the island sunk and gave it the shape it has
today. The underwater volcano, which is one of the rare examples of
volcanoes in the world created from a circular island that was there
before the explosion, a group of islands namely Thera, Thirassia, New
and Old Kameni and Aspronisi. This is one of the reasons why many
believe Santorini really is where Atlantis once was. The Minoan
civilization on theisland was razed after this, but apparently, most
people managed to flee.
The island has changed names through history. Originally it
was called Stroggyli ("round") since that was the shape of the island. When
the Phoenicians came they named it Kallisti ("the very best"), and finally
it got the name Thira after its first ruler.
Theras was the son of the Theban hero Autesion who was a
descendant of Cadmus. He was the vice king of Sparta and responsible for his
twin nephews Procles and Eurysthenes. When they were old enough to rule by
themselves, Theras left Sparta with a company of aristocrats and settled on
Santorini.
The Romans originally used the island as a place for exiles,
but later helped in building up the island. The Christianization of
Santorini took place between the 2nd and 5th century. The island was often
ravaged and even destroyed by pirates and in 1204 it was conquered by the
Venetians. It was about then the island got its current name. The islands
patron saint was Agia Irini (St Eirene) and the foreign sailors called her
St Irini - thus Santorini.
The island was destroyed by the Venetians in 1354, and once again in
1397, this time by the conquering Turks. In 1821 Santorini joined forces
with the Greek revolutionists and the island was subsequently freed from
Turkish rule. In 1956 there was a terrible earthquake which caused many
buildings to be ruined. The people in Kamari are almost all from a village
that was totally destroyed back then.
The island has been reconstructed after the terrible earthquake that
destroyed it on 9 July 1956.
Places to see in Satorini :
Fira the capital of Santorini is built on the edge of the caldera at
the west side of the island, at an altitude of 250 meters and was
founded in the late 18th century. It was the time when the inhabitants
of the old capital of the island, the castle of Skaros which was just
underneath the village of Imerovigli, began to abandon it because it was
heavily damaged by the earthquakes. In the early 19th century, Fira
became the capital of the island, and had access to the sea through the
port of Fira that is used until today mainly for cruise ships. Fira is
the seat of both the Orthodox, and the Catholic Diocese of Santorini.
What impresses at first glance in Fira is the typical
architecture of the houses and the stunning views. In the town are based
the public offices of the island, most of the shops, restaurants and
hotels and the town itself is the most populated of the island. In Fira
you can visit also the the art exhibition in the famous mansion Gizi .
The Archaeological museum and the Prehistoric museum where you can see
items from the excavations in Akrotiri, as well as many artefacts and
sculpture from the rich historical past of Santorini from the
Prehistoric times, the Neolithic and Minoan era, the Hellenistic, Roman
and Byzantine periods.
The main square Theotokopoulou is the centre of the town. There
you will find most of the banks, the buses and taxi terminals and many
shops.
During the evening all the terraces of the privileged cafes at
the edge of the caldera filled with tourists that are coming to enjoy a
drink as the sun sets over the deep blue Aegean.
At night the small streets along the east side of the town over
the caldera are bursting with crowds of holiday makers that walking up
and down the steps and narrow labyrinthine stone streets in a colourful
environment among numerous shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. During
the summer the city never sleeps, numerous cafes and snack bars are open
for the clubbers until the early morning hours. In Fira there is also a
folklore museum, a citadel from the Middle Ages, two Cathedrals, a
Catholic and an Orthodox. In Fira you can go to the church of Ag Mina,
which is the church that most postcards of Santorini portray . If you
come to Fira in September, there is a renowned classical music festival
every year.
At
Oia you you get the best sunsets, and both Oia and Fira are
excellent towns for just strolling around and shopping. The main street
of Oia bursts of tourists, especially when cruise ships are arrived,
strolling around the numerous tourist and souvenir shops. Be sure to
find a table at one of the cafes at the edge of the caldera before the
sunset. Oia is a surprisingly large town with just one street running
along the entire length of the town with two sets of cliff-side
stairways descending all the way down to the bays of Ammouda and Armeni
as well as a cliff path which runs down to the tiny port of Armenaki.
Armeni harbour is smaller and quieter than Ammoudi with one taverna and
a small pebbly beach. Similarly, it too, was used for trading wine
during the days when Oia was at its maritime peak. It can be reached by
walking down the 291 steps from the Skala restaurant close to the main
Caldera Square. There are also donkeys or mules to hire to bring you up
or down. Alternatively, boats leave from Ammoudi bay to Armeni. The main
street of Oia is divided into two parts, one for cars and the second is
pedestrian only. Many little lanes and alleys come off of this street.
You can experience practically the whole of the village by walking along
the pedestrian street, with fantastic views all the way. The magnificent
sunsets can be seen from here but the best places to view are from
either end of the main street. At the eastern end is the main square
with the bus station and the Church of Panagia of Platsani and, at the
western end, are the ruins of the Venetian castle, the windmills and the
300 steps leading down to Ammoudi Bay. This latter seems to be the most
popular spot for viewing the
sunsets
but can get very crowded at sunset. Traditional Cycladic windmills are
an integral part of the landscape of Oia. They are scattered across the
town, hugging the side of the cliffs like molluscs. Some of them are now
used as private homes or are let out as holiday homes, whereas others
are incorporated into restaurants or simply cling there with no other
purpose than to add to the unique charm of this town. The most charming
are those located at the western end of the island, especially when they
are bathed in the rays of the setting sun. Oia is one of the most
photogenic island villages in Santorini and walking around its winding
cobbled streets is an absolute delight. Although in high season it can
get very busy, it is still possible to find yourself alone in a secluded
little passageway where you can quietly admire the original old
mansions, the windmills, the churches and the spectacular views of the
volcano, the caldera and the small island of Aspro and out to the larger
craggy island of Thirassia. The central square, Nicolaou Nomikou, lies
not at the centre of the town but a bit further towards its eastern
side. It is a popular place to take photographs as it borders the
caldera and has magnificent sea views. One of the most important
buildings of the village is located on this square, the large Church of
Panagia of Platsani. This beautiful church can be visited in the
evenings throughout the summer season. This square also is the site for
the occasional concert during the summer months as well as being a place
where locals meet and children play. Close to the square there are steps
which lead down to Armeni Bay.
Imerovigli
It is located about 2 miles north of Fira and south of Oia. The
village of Imerovigli is buid on the top of the Caldera at 300
metres over the sea level. It has a few hundred inhabitants and
is a national heritage village with many chapels and churches.
The most famous landmark of Imerovigli is the castle of Skaros
on the top of the rock beneath the village that use to be the
capital of the island of Santorini until the 18th century. There
are many hotels but more quite as Fira and Oia. You can walk
there from Fira going through Firostefani.
Akrotiri is an ancient town that was buried when the
volcano erupted 3500 years ago. Archaeologists are still
excavating it, but you can walk around in the little street
quarters and see the buildings almost like they were back then.
You'll be impressed by the modernity: the houses were two or
three storey high, and they even had running water. The
excavations have also revealed beautiful frescoes, tools and
everyday life objects.
In Pyrgos a few kilometres from the capital you can see
the medieval fortress Kasteli and admire a 10th century church
and a monastery both with beautiful Byzantine icons and relics.
The village of Messaria is also located close to Fira
(about 3,5 km) and is surrounded by vineyards, you should visit
the two small churches that are built in caves. In
Megalochori 5 km southeast of Fira interesting is the unique
way that this village combines the Cycladic architecture with
neoclassical mansions, there are some interesting churches to
visit like the church of the Virgin Mary, decorated with Icons
from Russia and a totally original calendar with miniature
pictures. There are many places to stay, while from here you
have the opportunity to reach the southern coasts of the island.
Perissa Located approximately 14km away from Fira town,
Perissa is easily reached in around 10-15 minutes by bus or
road. Buses leave regularly from Fira market square and stop at
pickup points all along the beach road of Perissa. The beach of
Perissa is the longest in Santorini: a very impressive length of
7km that stretches to the next beach of Perivolos. In addition
to the beautiful black sand beach with all kinds of shops,
accommodations and water sports facilities worth visiting is the
ancient site with buildings and ruins from different time
periods. There is an ancient theatre, the ancient market, the
ruins of a temple of Apollo, a shrine of Egyptian deities and
many buildings from the Hellenistic period.
Kamari in addition to the well organised beach you can
visit a church of the 11th century with significant Byzantine
frescos and sculptures from an earlier church. From Kamari, a
winding switchback road takes you up to to the ancient
settlement of Thira on Mesa Vouno mountain. If you have rented
your own motor transport, it is possible to drive up this road
until you reach the parking area where you must continue on
foot. If you prefer, you can take one of the many coach tours
which leave from Kamari to the parking area of Thira. Either
way, if you wish to see the ancient archaeological site, it will
involve the final stage being completed on foot. The path is
uneven and rocky so ensure that you are wearing sensible shoes
and, if necessary, have a walking stick to assist you for the
final part of your journey. The archaeological site is not fully
excavated and, although interesting, it has to be said that the
site is more scenic than archaeological. So, if you think you
can’t manage the final walk to the top, don’t leave a trip up
Mt. Mesa Vouna off your itinerary. The views are absolutely
spectacular!
Emporio
the traditional old market village of the island located 12 km
away from Fira. The village impresses with its unique layout and
its very narrow streets.
Here you will see the tower built during the era of Ottoman rule
in order to protect the inhabitants from pirate raids, another
interesting place to see is the monastery of St. John the
Divine.
Don't miss to visit Finikia a small
traditional village with beautiful churches in the vicinity of
Oia and the beach Baxedes . The villages of Mesochori and
Karterados are worth visiting as well as the village of
Vourvoulos, which is located in the northeast of the
island 2.5 km from Fira.
From the balconies of the houses, visitors can enjoy the
tranquillity of the island , overlooking the plains and the sea
which is 1.2 km away.
Through the tranquil countryside , visitors can enjoy the moon
rise at the evening and the wonderful sunrise in the morning. In
the village there are taverns and mini markets. Monolithos
village situated 9 km from Fira and gather many visitors, thanks
to its stunning beach.
It is very nice to go on one of the boat excursions offered.
There are sunset trips in the evenings, and daily trips to the
volcano and the opposite islands Palia Kammeni, with warm
natural wells, and Thirasia, where there is a tiny
picturesque village.
Ancient
Thira: is situated on top of high cliff just above Kamari,
and there is also and old church there from 1100 . This was the
Roman head quarters. Right at the top of the southeast peak of
the highest mountain of Santorini in Profitis Helias is the
ancient settlement of Thira. The winding road that leads to this
settlement begins at the south end of Kamari at the foot of the
mountain. The physically fit can walk up the winding mountain
road. which takes around 45 minutes, but the easiest way is to
drive up or take a bus and reserve your energy for the final
climb to the settlement itself as this last part is only
accessible by foot. The road is carefully constructed from hard
stones and ends at the beginning of the archaeological area of
ancient Thira. Here you will find a refreshment hut, seating and
car parking space. Buses also go to this point. From the top of
the Ancient Thira there are breathtaking views over the
eastern coast of Santorini, with the coastal villages of Kamari
and Perissa as tiny toy towns far below. If you intend to walk
or take your car it is advisable to go before 11am, in this way
you will avoid trying to negotiate passing oncoming traffic on
the narrow mountain road. If you are intending to walk it is
recommended to wear suitable footwear because the climb from the
car park to the settlement itself is not dangerous or difficult
but it does not have a properly constructed road to walk on. The
other most historic area of Santorini located in Akrotiri where
the excavations brought to the light the remains of the Minoan
town.
What to Do In Kamari and Karteradso
there are tennis courts. In Perissa there is mini golf, water park, go
cart and roller-skating. In Fira and Kamari there are fields for
volleyball and basketball. There are also many places to go biking. Many
people enjoy the two hour walk from Imerovigli to Fira- it is a very
beautiful experience, but make sure you have water with you, though
today the two towns with Firostefani in the middle are almost connected
up. There are also opportunities to go horse riding. Most of the
nightlife is in Kamari, Perissa and Fira. Do not forget the famous
wineries of the island where you can visit and taste the local Santorini
wine. If you are driving you will spot in many areas signs with the
indication "wine roads".
Cruising the Caldera: This is a slightly different but
equally enjoyable way to visit the Caldera and enjoy the stunning
sunsets of Oia. Many tour operators run these cruises and you will find
many being advertised in Fira. The cruises last all day and leave from
Fira around mid-morning. Typically, the ship visits Nea Kameni, the
active volcano in the centre of the caldera and usually you will be able
to stop off here and climb the volcano. The cost of this climb is
approximately one euro and don’t forget that you will need to be wearing
suitable footwear for this climb. Ships usually spend one hour at Nea
Kameni before sailing on to Palia Kameni and its hot springs. After a
refreshing dip into the water the ships continue on to Thirassia, or
‘Little Thira’. Here you will stop off for lunch, a swim and perhaps a
donkey ride up to the town of Manolas. From Thirassia, the ship
continues on to Oia where you can alight to explore the town and watch
the sunset before returning to the ship for the cruise back to Fira.
Beaches Being a volcanic island, the
beaches are not of the ubiquitous golden sand variety that you can
expect to find on many Greek islands. The south-eastern side of the
island gives the best
beaches
of wide black lava sand. Other beaches around the island consist of
black sand strewn with pumice stones and black pebbles. Because the
beaches of Santorini consist of black volcanic matter, the heat of the
sun is absorbed rather than reflected. Consequently, the sand can get
incredibly hot during the day so, to avoid burning the soles of your
feet, wearing protective shoes is highly recommended. Kamari and Perissa
are popular beaches on this southeast coast both with beautiful mountain
surroundings and wide stretches of black sand. Santorini main beaches
have water sports. In general, Santorini beaches are wide with mainly
black sand. There are also lots of currents and the waves can get very
high especially at the north east side of the island. Kamari and Perissa
are popular beaches with their beautiful surroundings and black sand. If
you seek calmer beaches, it is better to go to Monolithos, Vlichada or
Agios Georgios. For snorkelling visit Amoudi. Read more about the
beaches in
Santorini
Nightlife Santorini has
a varied nightlife, and most bars and discos are in Fira, Kamari
and Perissa. Fira is probably the most popular place, and here
you shouldn't miss having a drink in one of the little cafes on
the steep side. The amazing view, relaxed atmosphere and soft
live Jazz music from The Zafora cafeteria, for example, will
give you an unforgettable experience. Read more about the
nightlife in Santorini
Food and restaurants: You can get
almost everything on Santorini - from traditional Greeks food to
international gourmet dinners. Try the local wine Visanto and see what
you think!!! In Fira on the side of the Caldera there are numerous
eateries and grill taverns where you can enjoy all kind of foods from
cheap souvlaki, Giros with pita bread and hamburgers to expensive up
market restaurants .The same setting of eateries can be found in Oia,
Imerovigli and all the other resorts of the island.
Weather The weather in Santorini
like in most of the Aegean islands consists of beautiful and dry Summers
with temperatures reaching sometimes 35- 37 degrees but the Meletemia
(north summer winds) decrease the high summer temperatures. The north
east part of the islands is mostly windy while the west part is
protected from the winds from the island of Thirasia. Winters can be
cold and wet but never reaching bellow zero temperatures.
Shopping Santorini is a bit of a
cosmopolitan island, just the number of luxury yachts that stop here is
very high for such a small island, so it is quite expensive. Many
artists live here, and you can buy a lot of original stuff - hand
painted umbrellas, ceramics, jewellery, art etc. You can also get nice
icons, but be careful, anything older than 1821 needs a special permit
to be exported. There is also local wine worth trying and taking with
you, the famous fava beans of Santorini (best in Greece) , local cheeses
and caper. Of course if you stay longer in Santorini and would like to
have your self catering, there are major international chain
supermarkets like Lidle, mini markets, green grosser and all kind of
shops you will find in a city.
Although Fira is considered to be the best town for shopping in
Santorini, Oia comes a very close second. In fact, for clothing,
handicrafts and artwork it definitely surpasses Fira. The narrow cobbled
streets are bursting with tiny little shops selling all manner of
beautiful fabrics, jewellery, artwork, antiques, Venetian mirrors and
souvenirs. The general ambience too is preferable to the busy streets of
Fira. In Oia you will find compact, jewel-like shops and art galleries
with a much more sophisticated, ethnic quality to them. Furthermore,
because of its stunning vantage point, Oia has inspired and attracted
many artist. Consequently, it is not surprising that it is considered to
be the artistic capital of Santorini and for this reason you will
discover many small art galleries, often with work that is more
imaginative and original than can be found in Fira.
Getting Around Santorini is
quite a small island, and it is easy to get around. There are local
buses to take you to most places, but of course you can also rent a car
or a bike. There are also taxis on the island.
The harbour of Athinios where the ferryboats stop is connected to Fira
and the rest of the island by a well made serpentine road. Driving up or
down this road can be quite an experience for anyone afraid of heights.
The old port of Fira under the town is used only for passengers from the
cruise ships. You can also walk up or down that road (almost 900steps)
or take a donkey ride all the way. There is also a cable car taking you
straight to Fira. As you arrive at Athinios you can rent a car straight
away from the spot. Santorini has a very good road network and a car or
a bike will make your stay more convenient.
Bus routes: from Fira to Imerovigli, Oia, Mesaria,Pyrgos,
Akrotiri.
From Fira to Mesaria, Pyrgos, Megalochori-Emporio, Perissa, Kamari,
Monolithos. Check the timetables at the bus terminals.
Getting There Santorini has its
own airport for domestic and international flights to Santorni . There are
ferries to Santorini from Athens Piraeus 2-3 times a day, from
Rafina four times a week, Ios-Naxos-Paros 2-3 times a day, Syros twice a
week, Milos twice a week, Sikinos - Folegandros 4 times a week,
Mykonos-Delos daily, Rhodes twice a week, Crete daily. The island is also
connected by air with Rhodes and Heraclion of Crete during the summer
season.
By plane:From Athens Airport to Santorini (the local airport is 8 km from
Fira). Information: Olympic Airlines Athens, tel (210) 9666666, Olympic
Airlnes Santorini, tel (22860) 22493, 22793
In general, Santorini is a great place to start if you want to go island
hopping, since it is connected to most Cycladic islands.
Where to stay in Santorini. The island
offers a plethora of accommodations in almost every tourist resort. Hotels,
luxury apartments and villas, rooms, campsites and studios.
Ersi
Villas located in the area of Firostefani in a tranquil environment away
from the noise of traffic and people, very near to Fira, the main town of
the island, within a few minutes walk from the capital's centre, shops,
restaurants, bars and bus terminals. Literally built above the sea, the
charming villas Ersi offers panoramic sea views towards the east coast of
the island. The villas are built using Santorini's traditional architectural
design and charmingly decorated in a rustic style that is both spacious and
comfortable. The family environment combined with privacy and attention to
every detail will be sure to make your stay at Ersi Villas your most
enjoyable Greek Island holiday.
Contact information ersi_@otenet.gr Tel:0030 2286024719.
| Facts
about Santorini*
|
Phone numbers*
|
| Size: 76 sq km (L:18km,
W:2,5km) |
International code: 0030 |
| Population: about 10,000 |
Local code: 22860 |
| Cash machine: Yes in Fira
and Kamari |
Health center: Fira: 22232
,Oia: 71227 |
| Internet cafe: many |
Emborios: 29222
,Pyrgos:31207 |
| Highest Mountain: Profitis
Elias 956m |
Police (Fira): 22649 |
|
Airport: Yes expect 20-30min transfer |
Taxi: 22555 |
|
Municipality:2286 022231 : |
Coast guard: 22239 |
| Tour Operators: |
Post office: 22238 |
| Tourist Office (Fira) 27111 |
Telephone company (OTE):
22399 |
*The info displayed may be inaccurate. If changes have been
made, please let us know.
Map of Santorini accommodation in Santorini
